TBE Awards – Meet the judges | Dr Ali Hadavizadeh
In the run-up to the inaugural TBE Awards this October, we’re profiling our expert panel of judges.
Dr Ali Hadavizadeh, Acorn Biz Solutions
Ali Hadavizadeh is a PhD-qualified and commercially astute professional with an extensive and varied career portfolio, encompassing rich business management experience and an entrepreneurial mindset gained on an international stage. This expertise was showcased in 1992 when Ali established a multi-million-pound turnover company, which was sold at a profit in 2008.
For the past 16 years, Ali has focused on merging a scientific background with a passion for business to support the innovation, commercialisation and scale-up ambitions of SMEs through the consultancy company Acorn Biz Solutions.
He is currently engaged in several projects, including serving as a Research Project Manager at the University of Bath, dedicated to advancing knowledge in the hydrogen production and storage domain.
Additionally, Ali is an Innovate UK grant application assessor, mentor and trainer on an Innovate UK program called ICURe, as well as an online Teaching Fellow for a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship Management and Innovation run by the University of Bath’s School of Management.
Over the years, Ali has developed a natural ability for understanding the fundamental building blocks of a successful business, offering in-depth analytical strategies to all the businesses supported, driving business performance, productivity, efficiency, effectiveness, and organisational success.
Why did you agree to be a judge on the panel?
My interest in agreeing to be a judge on the panel stems from my love of business. I’m looking forward to getting an insight into the amazing collection of dedicated businesses operating in our region, and analysing their effectiveness through the lenses of my business knowledge and experience.
Why are these regional awards important for the business community?
These regional awards are important on many levels. The engagement offers a solid opportunity to showcase your product and services to the wider community, as well as highlighting the commitment and dedication of the team – the most critical element in building a long term sustainable successful business.
Successful businesses will also need to put their customers, their satisfaction and experience at the heart of their operations and these regional awards offer a platform for companies to tell the world what their customers think about their products and services.
What are you hoping to see from the Award applications?
What I am hoping to see from the entrants is a true and realistic snapshot of their business background, vision, goals, ambitions, position in their market, challenges, obstacles and motivations.
I am particularly interested to see their approach to current important global challenges such as the environment, Net Zero ambitions, equality, diversity and inclusivity, and social and economic impacts at local, national, and international levels as well as their commitment to the sustainability agenda.
Are there any categories you feel particularly passionate about?
I love businesses in general and I have worked with businesses across many sectors. I have a soft spot for food and agriculture, in particular those that are leading the way for increasing food security, increasing nutritional resilience, reducing waste and offering consumers a healthy balance of options promoting locally sourced ingredients with minimal food miles.
What are your thoughts in general on the business community brought together by The Business Exchange?
The Business Exchange provides a critical platform for local businesses to meet and network. It actively supports a diverse range of businesses in our region and provides opportunities for local businesses to share ideas, highlight shared challenges, facilitate problem-solving and have a collective voice to influence policy decisions at local and national levels.
To find out more about the TBE Awards and to enter visit: www.tbeawards.co.uk
